Comparative cytogenetic analysis of selected chromosomes in Felidae family members using zoo-FISH

The karyotypes of felids are considered to be very conservative. Comparative chromosome painting is a technique used to determine the homology of regions between the chromosomes of different species. In order to supplement the existing knowledge and to obtain information on large-scale genome structure variations within the Felidae family, the fluorescence in situ hybridisation technique was performed in this study. Molecular probes specific to the cat chromosome A1, B1, C1, X and Y were used. The probes were hybridised with chromosomes belonging to the Amur tiger (♀), African lion (♂) and the leopard (♀). No significant differences were observed in the morphology or the banding pattern of both autosomes and heterosomes, and the homology of the tested DNA of fragments was demonstrated.